17: Ra-Ra

Jackson and Claire both think my friend, Robin, is wonderful. And she is. They love how funny she is, and Claire loves that she lets her take everything out of her purse and play with it. Robin also gives her candy if she finds it in her purse. Jackson called Robin, "Barney," until recently. We have no idea why. Today I notice Claire started saying Ra-Ra everytime Robin got close to her. She reached her arms out for her a couple of times, and called her Ra-Ra. So sweet. I am thankful for my friendship with Ra-Ra, and that Robin is so sweet to my babies.

3: 15 Month Check Up and Fun at Jack's Favorite Place

Claire at Dr. Wiley's Office.
Jackson wanted to go to Barnes and Noble after we left the doctor's office. I was nice enough to share my gift card with him. :) I can't say no when he wants book, and I think he secretly knows that. All cuddled up in his new reading chair. With his throw. Like mother (and father), like son.


On Tuesday, Claire had her 15 month check up. She weighed 19 pounds, 13 ounces (10th percentile), and was 28 1/4 in length (10th percentile. Her head was in the 75th percentile. She got a great report from the doctor. Her ears are even clear, for the first time since October. Dr. Wiley put her on Singulair a couple of weeks ago, and it seems to really be helping with the constant snot and cough.



She is so much fun! We love her so much. She is talking a ton, and loves to be held. All the time! I told my mother in law the other day that I needed to find a way to permanently attach her to my hip. She says, "Mommy, hold me," most anytime she is not in my arms. Other words she says are: Jack, Daddy, Nandee, Nana, Papa, Pop, Brad, Lady, dog, whoof, cat, wa-ee (water), yo-gi (yogurt), bitey (bite), paci, need a paci, book, eye, read, hey, banana, cookie, Away (singing Away in a Manger), Amen, cracker, wow, nite nite, bye bye, and her newest favorite, NO!!.



She is still not walking, but is pulling up and cruising around the furniture now. She has not taken any steps, yet. She is climbing alot, and we have to keep an extra eye on her. She is pretty fearless. Jackson was always, and still is, very cautious, and she is not.



The girl can eat! Her favorites are oatmeal, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, rice, pasta, applesauce, bananas, yogurt, cheese and grapes. She also loves Ritz Crackers, and will only drink water, and sometimes a little milk. She does not care for meat or juice, at all. She has a sweet tooth, too...loved my mom's chocolate pie she made New Year's Day. Also loves vanilla ice cream.



She loves to sing, dance, and be read to. She likes to play with Little People, and Jackson's cars and trains. We love her so much...I am enjoying every moment with them both, because it really is going by. Way. Too. Fast.

6 Months Old and Wellness Check Up

Madeline Claire was 6 months old on April 14. She continues to bring our family so much happiness. She has such an easy going temperament, and is just sweet as can be! She is very cuddly! And she is a mama's girl....I love that!

Weight: 25th percentile

Height: 50th percentile

Head Cirfumference: 50th percentile

What is else is going on with Madeline Claire?

Eating: Nursing about 8-10 times per day. She drinks a bottle of breast milk every once in a while. Lately, if I leave her with a bottle, she will drink about an ounce, and refuses to drink any more of it.

Sleeping: She is sleeping much better. She goes to bed around 10:30, and usually sleeps until about 5:00. Sometimes she wants to nurse about 2:00. She wakes up for the day about 8:00. Sometimes she wakes up crying for her pacifier at night. She still takes a long morning nap about 10:00, and an afternoon nap around 2:00. She still cat naps alot in the evenings.

Temperament: Easy going and sweet. She only cries when she is hungry or overly tired. She is sometimes a "hip monkey." She loves to be held.

Other things: She is smiling, cooing, and laughing. She wears mostly 3-6 month clothing. She wears a 2 in diapers. She loves a little panda bear I bought her to be on her face when she is sleepy, as well as a particular blanket against her face. She is rolling from her tummy to her back and sits up with support really well. She also likes her Exersaucer, and still loves her swing. She has recently starting making some distinct sounds (like Ma-ma and Da-da).

Loving Some Carrots

Claire had carrots for the first time on Thursday. Loved them. I made them myself. It was super easy...I made 10 ounces of pureed carrots for about $1! Hey, the more money I save on baby food...the more hairbows I can add to her collection.

106: A Few Firsts

Claire had her first solid food today. Sweet Potatoes. After talking with her pediatrician yesterday about a little issue she has, he suggested trying vegetables and fruits first before feeding her cereal. So, after dinner I (along with Jackson) fed Claire her first solid food. She ate every bite.

I am going to make her some homemade ones tomorrow. I bought an organic sweet potato and trays to give it a try. I love a good excuse to use my food processor!

She also got her first tooth today (6 months, 1 day). One of the bottom ones...the other one will be popping through any day.

74: 5 Months Old

Weight: Around 13.5 pounds
Height: 26 inches

What is else is going on with Madeline Claire?

Eating: Nursing about 8-10 times per day. She drinks a bottle of breast milk every once in a while. Lately, if I leave her with a bottle, she will drink about an ounce, and refuses to drink any more of it.

Sleeping: She is sleeping much better. She goes to bed around 10:30, and usually sleeps until about 5:00. Sometimes she wants to nurse about 2:00. She wakes up for the day about 8:00. Sometimes she wakes up crying for her pacifier at night. She still takes a long morning nap about 10:00, and an afternoon nap around 2:00. She still cat naps alot in the evenings.

Temperament: Easy going and sweet. She only cries when she is hungry or overly tired. She is sometimes a "hip monkey." She loves to be held.

Other things: She is smiling, cooing, and laughing. She has grown out of most of her 0-3 month clothes, and is wearing mostly 3-6 month outfits. She wears a 1-2 in diapers. She loves a little panda bear I bought her to be on her face when she is sleepy. She is rolling from her tummy to her back and sits up with support really well. She also likes her Exersaucer a lot. Oh, and she STILL loves enormous bows in her hair! She is super fun.

59: Jackson's First Trip to the Dentist

Jackson had his first dental appointment on Monday. You can imagine the disappointment when parents were not really allowed to go back for the exam...so no pictures. We did check the place out...the examination area was crazy....nothing like my childhood dentistry experience...lime green exam chairs, flat screen televisions, a WII, toys galore, bean bags....sugar free soft serve ice cream for the patients after the exam, and a treat bag that was filled with more items than a birthday party favor bag. Oh, and Blake and I got complimentary hot chocolate and coffee while we waited. CRAZY! Needless to say, Jackson had a fabulous time at the dentist office..no trauma at all!

36: The Exersaucer...Already??

I know I have said this a million times...but I really think Claire looks like her daddy!

Claire Bear got in her Exersaucer for the first time on Saturday. She LOVED it. She looked like such a big girl. Slow down, baby girl. You can stay a little baby as long as you want!

8: Sleep!

Princess Claire slept all night (January 7, 2011). Like from 11:30...until 8:00. I feel amazingly refreshed! Also, LOVE the co-sleeper that Amy let me borrow. I wish I had used this with Jackson.